Kyle Hubner recently compiled a neighbourhood safety audit for the Northfield/Bowen Rd. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

safety concerns

Concerns illuminated during Northfield-Bowen neighbourhood safety audit

Mar 6, 2023 | 6:20 AM

NANAIMO — Preliminary safety audit findings in a central city neighbourhood mirror what’s being reported elsewhere in the community — people don’t feel safe.

Compiled by fourth year VIU criminology student Kyle Hubner, the now-closed online survey filled out by 156 people with a direct stake in the Northfield/Bowen Rd. area of Nanaimo showed safety is a significant concern.

Twenty-two per cent of respondents reported being repeat victims of crime in the area while 26 per cent both work and lived in the Northfield/Bowen area.

“Data is a great way to gather a perception of where the issues are unfolding in the area, how people are thinking on a broad scale – it’s a very clear way to break down where the issues are,” Hubner told NanaimoNewsNOW.

The survey showed theft and harassment as top concerns in the area home to a mix of businesses, as well as residential and recreational offerings.

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A majority of respondents don’t feel crime prevention initiatives have effectively been deployed in the area.

Notably 84 per cent of survey respondents don’t feel safe walking at night in the Northfield/Bowen area.

Hubner said area business operators he’s connected with are concerned about the temporary supportive housing complex on Labieux Rd., pointing to break-ins, mischief and loitering as ongoing issues linked to the site.

“It’s definitely a big contributor to the crime and safety issues in the area from what i’ve gathered through meeting with the business,” Hubner said.

After focusing on getting survey responses from the business community, Hubner is shifting to hear insights from area residents during an upcoming neighbourhood walk.

Anybody living in the Northfield/Bowen Rd. area can join Hubner to offer their opinions and experiences regarding local safety on Wednesday, March 8 at Forest Park Elementary.

A meeting and short walk will be carried out through a residential part of the neighbourhood starting at 6:30 p.m.

Hubner said there is clearly an abundance of pride from the business community, as well as residents in the Northfield/Bowen area representing numerous community block watches and neighbourhood associations.

“It’s very good to see the amount of memberships in the area because it really shows that people definitely care and take pride in the area that they work and reside in.”

Key aspects of the ongoing safety audits is to offer additional data and insights for the City of Nanaimo and RCMP, as well as improve connections between residents throughout the city.

Nine neighbourhood safety audits have been conducted in Nanaimo so far, six in 2021 and three last year.

The City’s community policing coordinator Jon Stuart expects two or three audits will be done this year.

Results from the Northfield/Bowen area audit are expected to be posted online by the end of March, Stuart noted.

More information on neighbourhood safety audits, including detailed reports, can be found here.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes